History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.205

v6.c82.205

We find from certain verses of the Ṛgveda that the cries of such birds as kapiñjala were deemed even in those ancient times to indicate coming events, auspicious or otherwise; ⁷⁵⁵ '(the bird) crying again and again and voicing (indicating) coming event sends forth his speech as an oarsman propels a boat; O bird! may you be auspicious to us and may no unfavourable sign reach you from any quarter; O bird! may you that are auspicious and whose cry forebodes good cry to the south of (our) houses; may no thief master us nor may any one declare that we may meet danger.' Br S, 98. 14 provides that birds indicate to a person going on a journey the evil results of actions, good or evil, done by him in former lives. *The Yoga-yātrā of Varāhamihira* (chap. 14) and *Adbhutasāgara* pp. 569-582 deal at length with *sakuna* (prognostications from the sight, flight or cries of birds and other animals). *Yogayātrā* (14. 2 and 26) provides that certain birds and animals when they are to the right or southern side of a man starting on a journey indicate auspicious results and that when a cāṣa bird with something in its mouth flies to the right side of a man that is an indication of welfare.